Family-centered care continued
“Because the family is the entire
treatment group, the pediatric team works
to build resilience within the family to
contribute to their child’s recovery,” says
Mrs. Hubbard. “The goal is supporting
moms, dads, and siblings so they’re able to
support their child and each other.”
In addition, child psychiatrists and
psychologists are available at Scott &
White to help young patients who are
struggling emotionally or cognitively, and
their families.
Nurses are often the bridge between
clinical care and the vital emotional
support children and families need. “A
child’s primary nurse is the person who is
24 hours a day, seven days a week in the
closest contact with the patient and the
family,” Mrs. Hubbard says. “They’re a
huge piece of the information link between
the family and patient and the other
members of the healthcare team.”
Addressing children’s needs
One challenge to the pediatric team is the
widely varying needs of their patients.
Illnesses and injuries differ, and so does
the length of patients’ stays. “We have
children who come in for 24 hours,” Ms.
Upchurch says, “and we have children who
stay for two months. You just never
know.” The staff prepares to meet each
child’s needs. They also see children with
chronic conditions, such as muscular
dystrophy, who may return to the hospital
several times a year.
The staff must also care for patients
ranging in age from newborns to 18-yearolds. The developmental and emotional
Pediatric Social Worker Serena Harkins, Director of Nursing Audrey Hubbard,
and Chaplain Danny Tomlinson.
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THE CATALYST Fall 10 | sw.org